Drugs police in swoop on golf club and dance school

Published on 18/02/2011 14:48

A HISTORIC golf club and a children's dance school were among premises raided as part of a massive police operation which netted £500,000 worth of cocaine.

Two men were arrested and charged with drug dealing offences following the swoops at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club and LA Dance School, both in Prestonpans.

Kenneth Glen, the professional's assistant at the golf club, and Gary Yorke - who is believed to be connected with the dance school - have already appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face the charges.

More than 100 officers were deployed on a string of raids in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, and Lanarkshire, with 11.7 kilos of cocaine recovered from a number of locations.

But a golf club spokesman said that no drugs had been found during the raid, which was carried out last Friday.

The premises targeted were believed to have been used in the alleged cutting and bulking of controlled drugs.

Six men and two women were arrested and charged as part of the operation resulting from "several months of investigation and intelligence gathering at Lothian and Borders Police", according to a force spokesman.

Glen, 24, of Dalkeith, made no plea or declaration when he appeared in court before being released on bail, pending a further court appearance. It is understood police searched the club's professional shop during the operation.

The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is the fifth oldest in the world, founded more than 200 years ago. Pride of place is given to the Old Club Cup, dating back to 1774, which is the oldest trophy still competitively played for anywhere.

Yorke, 44, also of Dalkeith, is understood to be the husband of LA Dance School's founder Leanne Yorke.

The Hawthorn Road facility was opened last year by members of dance group Flawless, who were finalists in the TV show Britain's Got Talent.

The school is understood to trains hundred of youngsters, from toddlers to teenagers. It offers crche facilities, children's themed parties and fitness classes for adults.

Yorke made no plea or declaration at court and was remanded in custody, pending a further appearance.

No-one at LA Dance School could be reached for comment.

Superintendent Phil O'Kane, East Lothian area commander for Lothian and Borders Police, said that the raids had disrupted an allegedly "significant crime route".

He added: "As well as recovering a large quantity of drugs and cash, the police will be using all their powers available to recover assets which have been purchased as a consequence of the proceeds of crime, and the figures around that are substantial.

"This is all part of the ongoing work to target serious crime and reduce the impact of drugs on communities."